Prepubic urethrostomy for relief of urethral obstruction in a sheep and a goat

Urethral obstruction is common in castrated male small ruminants. Perineal urethrostomy is the recommended treatment in animals not intended for breeding; however, stricture formation is a common complication, and few surgical options are available once a stricture has formed. Prepubic urethrostomy has been used successfully in dogs and cats to treat urethral trauma or stricture formation, and in this report, use of prepubic urethrostomy in 2 small ruminants to treat urethral strictures that developed alter perineal urethrostomy is described. Both animals maintained urinary continence and were able to void urine normally. Complications after prepubic urethrostomy included recurrent cystitis in sheep and urethral stricture in goats. Prepubic urethrostomy may be considered in as an alternative for treatment of urethral disorders in small ruminants.